You have a right to access your personal leave at Pines Living!
Friday 19 June, 2026
Dear member,
HSU members at Pines Living have reported receiving threatening and intimidating emails when accessing personal leave entitlements and using statutory declarations as evidence.
Members are entitled to access personal leave when unfit for work due to illness/injury or need to care for a family member who is unwell or injured.
The Fair Work Act sets out this right, your obligations and those of your employer. These are:
- Up to 10 days paid personal leave per year (pro rata for part-time employees)
- Notify your employer as soon as practical that you are unfit for work and when you expect to be back
- Privacy – you are not required to tell them the details of your personal illness or injury
- Submit a statutory declaration where it is not possible or reasonable to obtain a medical certificate
- Pay – for the period of your absence when you have the leave balance available
HSU has written to the Facility Manager reminding them of these legislated rights and that it is unacceptable to threaten termination of employment or the removal of a permanent contract for accessing your rights.
Any member who is required to speak with management about your personal leave use is encouraged to contact your Organiser Lisa at lisa.bourke@hsu.asn.au or 0409 744 165, or the Member Services Division on 1300 478 679 or info@hsu.asn.au.
We are stronger when we stand together! Do you know someone who isn’t an HSU member? Encourage them to join our Union today and have a say at work.
Related Articles
UNION WIN: Personal leave at Pines Living
Wednesday 24 June, 2026 Last week, HSU members at Pines Living raised concerns about emails they received, regarding the use of their personal leave entitlements and providing statutory declarations as evidence. The HSU wrote to the Facility Manager ...
Personal/Carer’s Leave – Questions, Tips, and Initial Advice
Personal/Carer’s Leave – Questions, Tips, and Initial Advice Summary Personal and carer’s leave provides paid time off when an employee is unfit for work or needs to care for a family or household member. The specific EBA/Award/Policy will set out ...
Minimum pay rates for qualified carers at Pines Living!
Monday 22 June, 2026 HSU members at Pines Living have raised concerns that some care workers may not being paid at the correct rate. As part of the historic HSU led Aged Care Work Value Care, significant changes occurred to the pay rates and ...
Sick Leave in Aged Care – When Evidence Is Required
Overview Aged care workers are entitled to paid sick leave when they are unable to work due to illness or injury. This entitlement applies to permanent full-time and part-time employees under the Fair Work Act and relevant aged care enterprise ...
Personal information disclosure at Arcare Wright
Thursday 19 March, 2026 HSU members at Arcare Wright have reported that local management insist you must provide your personal medical reasons to access your personal leave entitlements. Know your rights! You are not required to provide your private ...